The days of clubs recruiting A-list overseas stars are gone but domestic game needs growth and a wider audience

RFU, PRL, PGP, PRB, IDP, TNT, CVC, RPA – drowning in alphabet soup yet? Welcome to English rugby’s new frontier, where it seems there is no problem too big that an acronym cannot solve. Given the addition of a few more over the summer, maybe it is not complete coincidence that Premiership directors of rugby were recently given a lesson in language.

It is said they were all called into a meeting room and encouraged to be more strident in their public views for the coming season. To embrace and celebrate the gladiatorial nature of the sport, rather than shy away from it. In short, to sex things up a bit.